The East Bay native honed her fashion skills in New York City before returning to the Bay Area to open her first retail shop in 1994. Tanov gained an impressive following in no time and opened a second store in NYC’s posh NoLita neighborhood. She now has three Bay Area stores and continues to design for a growing community of customers. Her latest collection mixes soft, feminine looks with bold, sexy furs and tailored jackets. This breezy chiffon peasant dress in navy transitions seamlessly from day job to date night. $304 at Erica Tanov, 2408 Fillmore St. (at Washington), 415-674-1228, ericatanov.com

MARTHA DAVIS

The Rhode Island School of Design alum pursued the art of shoemaking after realizing that she had yet to find the perfect pair of shoes. Davis likes to think of her designs as architecture for the feet. For her latest collection, she’s featuring a Western-meets-urban look. These silver calf-hair ankle boots double as statement pieces for a day of shopping and a night out on the town. $642 at Gimme Shoes, 416 Hayes St. (at Gough), 415-864-0691, martha-davis.com

GOORIN BROS.

Goorin Bros. has been crafting hats in San Francisco since 1949, but make no mistake—this is not your grandfather’s topper shop. Cassel Goorin’s great-grandson has kept the family tradition alive with a line of modern hats that make bold style statements. This asymmetrical straw cloche is great for the city’s Indian summer when it’s still too warm for wools. $54 at Goorin Bros., 1612 Stockton St. (at Union), 415-402-0454, goorin.com

KATE ELLEN METALS

Kate Ellen has always liked tools, but the West Marin native spent years working at nonprofits before deciding to try her hand at jewelry. She started making accessories after taking a class at Oakland’s industrial arts studio The Crucible and quickly built out her own line. These brass, hammered bangles with stamped lettering from her fall collection are delicate but also add a little edge to any ensemble. $200 for a set of five at Hangr 16, 3128 16th St. (at Valencia), 415-552-5753, kateellenmetals.com

49 SQUARE MILES

49 Square Miles creator Lisa Rissetto, who used to work for Esprit, looks to the Bay Area’s laid-back culture for design direction. She works with Italian leathers to create simple looks with minimal hardware. Her fall collection concentrates on classic pieces like this soft shoulder bag in eggplant with double strap and gold loop detailing. It’s an everyday tote that touts both form and function. $495 at Nest, 2300 Fillmore St. (at Clay), 415-292-6199, 49sqmi.com

CHRISTOPHER COLLINS

As a season eight Project Runway contender, Christopher Collins became a household name. Collins and his partner Erica Tanamachi continue to create of-the-moment looks that are luxuriously feminine. For fall, the two tackle fun and flirty. This strapless sweetheart dress and open-weave sweater are the perfect one-two punch on a crisp day. $345 (sweater) and $430 (dress) at Christopher Collins Boutique, 1116 Sutter St. (at Larkin), 415-440-2464, christophercollinscollection.com

JOSEPH S. DOMINGO

Joseph S. Domingo launched his first ready-to-wear line at Los Angeles Fashion Week in 2006 to much acclaim from the industry. To his credit, he still headquarters his studio in San Francisco and heads up the SF Bay Area Fashion Network. This wool mohair crop jacket and slim silk pant make for an elegant and eye-catching look, and the subtle black-brown shimmer adds just the right amount of flair. $750 (jacket) and $500 (pants) at Joseph S. Domingo, 808 Post St. (at Leavenworth), 415-563-2007, josephdomingo.com

SARAH SWELL

Designer Sarah Greenberg’s passion for jewelry-making was first ignited in a college silversmith class. She launched her first collection in 2008 after earning a degree at San Francisco’s Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, and she’s never looked back. Drawing inspiration from the Earth, Greenberg created this geode necklace as part of her fall line. The piece layers well over the season’s loose, drapey styles. $320 at Collage Gallery, 1345 18th St. (at Missouri), 415-282-4401, sarahswell.com

GR.DANO

Jill Giordano and Brian Scheyer of gr.dano have quickly progressed from small startup to nationally acclaimed label. The duo has shown during NY Fashion Week and was honored at last year’s California Design Biennial. They produce modern collections known for their architectural detail. Their latest is inspired by the de Young’s “Balenciaga and Spain” exhibit. This layered drape skirt and cropped top with a popped collar is a smart, all-purpose outfit meant to turn heads. $255 (top) and $405 (skirt) at 440 Brannan, 440 Brannan St. (at Zoe), 415-348-0000, grdano.com

MAYFOURTEENTH

The popular vintage eyewear label that launched last summer has been making a splash among the hipster set. Founder Benjamin Belsky works closely with master craftsmen in Argentina to produce sunglasses in unusual shapes, unexpected colors, and rare plastics. Each pair is hand-shaped and polished from old-world Mazzucchelli acetate and fit with protective UV lenses. This fall, the designer launches a limited-edition frame, which comes in a special case made from 100-year-old reclaimed wood. $350 at mayfourteenth.com